How far would you go to have a family? Surprising and heartfelt, Breeding builds in power over the course of 120 minutes. It considers the evolution of the ‘queer family’, the inequalities of adoption/IVF and the changing nature of relationships through hardship and conflicting wants. Written by and starring Barry McStay, the return of Breeding comes after the amazing response to its 2023 run.
The primary coloured, checkerboard set design evokes a child-like quality. However, on closer inspection, the walls are pages of the seemingly endless Southwark Council adoption workbook. Our couple Zeb (Dan Nicholson) and Eoin (McStay) must complete each stage whilst Beth (Nemide May) analyses each response, deciding if they are ‘appropriate’ to adopt.
The chemistry between McStay’s Eoin and Nicholson’s Zeb is beautifully portrayed, as it is tested over years and through hours of adoption classes. McStay embodies the careful and nervous energy that Eoin brings in his palpable desperation to say the right things and be approved for adoption. McStay’s witty interwoven dialogue works so well with Zeb’s (Nicholson) candid energy, leading to numerous outbursts of laughter throughout the show – especially in the darkest moments. This is when we and the characters needed the laughter most.
A moment of particularly raucous laughter comes when Zeb suggests a threesome in a bid to avoid becoming ‘boring parents’. Not only does McStay’s writing say all the things we think, but it goes further and speaks to so many of our fears and hopes. McStay and Nicholson have such familiarity with each other and beautiful comedic timing that each joke feels like a spontaneous, loving jab at the other.
May’s ability to limit her expressions and emotions during the first half of the play helps us to empathise with the couple, as they manoeuvre in this arduous process. I did not expect to come to like Beth or care about her, but as she is humanised we discover she and her partner Alana are also attempting to start a family via IVF. McStay expands his story beyond the experience of one couple and one way of starting a family.
Each character is flawed, lovable and selfish; you see the human element in each. I was not entirely convinced by the humming-filled, elevator-style music and lighting which accompanied scene changes. They felt abrupt and took me out of the emotional moments. Perhaps this was intentional, but it wasn’t entirely successful.
At times it felt as if the actors were holding back the level of emotion that could be driven into each line. The payoff is when the moments of emotional outbursts come, the contrast in delivery is effective. However, I do wish I’d seen more of the overflowing emotion displayed by McStay in the final moments of the play, present and authentic. I wanted more.
Breeding feels necessary, singular and simultaneously universal. It didn’t need the colourful set or thrust staging. It is raw and unapologetic and needs to be seen.
{🎟 AD: PR Invite – Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review}
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